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New York Mets: Kevin Plawecki Getting Hot At Right Time

By Kenneth Teape

Mar 14, 2016; Lakeland, FL, USA; New York Mets catcher Kevin Plawecki (26) bats during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game against the Detroit Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2016; Lakeland, FL, USA; New York Mets catcher Kevin Plawecki (26) bats during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game against the Detroit Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Mets have finally begun getting production out of their catcher spot, as Kevin Plawecki has found his strong at the plate since Travis d’Arnaud went down with an injury.

The New York Mets looked like they were suffering a blow when starting catcher Travis d’Arnaud went down with a rotator cuff injury. Despite his early struggles at the plate, d’Arnaud has shown that he can be a difference maker in the middle of the Mets order at the plate to overcome his shortcomings defensively.

d’Arnaud expressed optimism that he would be able to return to the lineup sooner than later, thinking that he could come back once his 15 days were up. But, d’Arnaud suffered a setback in his rehab earlier in the week, as he expressed soreness in his shoulder after throwing a little bit.

As a result, Kevin Plawecki will continue to be the starting catcher for the Mets. Last week manager Terry Collins didn’t mince his words, saying that Plawecki needed to hit if he wanted to stay in the lineup.

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“This is a great opportunity for Kevin to show he can be an everyday catcher,” Collins had said, alluding to No. 1 catcher Travis d’Arnaud landing on the disabled list with a rotator cuff strain. “Certainly I don’t mean to put a lot of pressure on him, but he’s got to start getting some hits, because that’s one of the things we all said he could do. We all thought he was going to be a good offensive player. And I know he’s frustrated.”

Plawecki must have taken those words to heart, as he is making the most of the opportunity given to him. The Mets have played 14 games since d’Arnaud went down with an injury, as Plawecki started 11 of those games. He went into this stretch of games with a paltry slash line of .176/.300/.176.

But, Plawecki has turned things around since, as it looks like he just needed a chance and consistent playing time. Plawecki’s slash line now sits at .231/.344/.346, as he is on a five-game hitting streak. He has recorded a hit in eight of the 11 games, as Plawecki is doing enough at the plate to keep the starting job for the time being.

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“Like I said in San Diego, I’m just going up there trying to get good pitches to hit and putting my ‘A’ swing on them,” Plawecki said. “I definitely feel comfortable in the box. I’m just going to keep swinging it, keep putting good at-bats together, and just keep trying to hit the ball hard.”

Plawecki has had his ‘A’ swing going in recent games, as he recorded three doubles against the San Diego Padres and launched his first home run of the season off former Mets’ top prospect Scott Kazmir in the first game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

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Plawecki has provided a nice boost for the Mets, as the catcher position has been barren in terms of production thus far this season. Plawecki may never be a silver slugger, but he has finally gotten things figured out in recent games and is providing a nice boost for the Mets in the final third of their lineup.

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